Black City

Black City (Black City, 1)
by Elizabeth Richards
Rating: 5 Bows!

A dark and tender post-apocalyptic love story set in the aftermath of a bloody war.

In a city where humans and Darklings are now separated by a high wall and tensions between the two races still simmer after a terrible war, sixteen-year-olds Ash Fisher, a half-blood Darkling, and Natalie Buchanan, a human and the daughter of the Emissary, meet and do the unthinkable—they fall in love. Bonded by a mysterious connection that causes Ash’s long-dormant heart to beat, Ash and Natalie first deny and then struggle to fight their forbidden feelings for each other, knowing if they’re caught, they’ll be executed—but their feelings are too strong.

When Ash and Natalie then find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy that threatens to pull the humans and Darklings back into war, they must make hard choices that could result in both their deaths.

Wow. That's all I can say about this book because nothing I think of does it justice. I was not expecting this book to be this great and I was glad to be proven wrong. The story sorta reminded me of Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London but it held its own.

A quick explanation of the story: The city is divided by a wall that keeps Darklings separated from humans and Darkling half-bloods. There is a law trying to be passed, Rose Law, to completely eliminate any half-bloods living with the humans and send them out with the Darklings. Natalie, the emissary's daughter, meets Ash, a twin-blood darkling, who happens to attend Natalie's new school. Natalie and Ash have a connection but exploring that connection leads to a ripple of events that have a catastrophic ending. 

Natalie, to me was the perfect heroine, she wasn't afraid to stand up for what she believed, she wasn't discriminating, and she wasn't a pushover. Ash was a class-A jerk but given his circumstances, I wasn't too hard on him. I love that Ash and Natalie don't have an instant love connection and that they don't like each other at the beginning, this made their relationship feel more real. The concept was new to me and it was a little confusing as to how the Darklings came to be but I was grateful that the explanations were made simple and not overcomplicated; The most interesting explanation or "legend" was the blood mate story, it was beautiful. 

This novel pulled so many emotions out of me: I cried for Natalie and Ash, I screamed in frustration at the injustice of discrimination, and got angry of the unfairness of it all. 

Reading Black City, I experienced betrayal, lies, and shocking revelations that left me speechless but with a hint of hope as well. Black City is not a series to be missed!!

After Daybreak

After Daybreak (Darkness Before Dawn Trilogy, 3)
by J.A. London
Rating: 5 Bows!

Our last hope lies with our oldest enemies.

When we lost the war with the vampires, our world changed. The Old Family overlords trapped us in a few scattered cities and demanded our blood. Then Victor- the first vampire I've ever trusted, ever loved- came to power, and I hoped for peace between our kinds. Only now a new type of monster, Day Walkers, has emerged, and their maniacal leader is threatening to destroy us all, human and vampire alike.

The Old Family Council is stubborn and proud, unwilling to acknowledge the danger. But once I claim my birthright as the last living member of the Montgomery line, they will have to listen to me.

Neither fully human nor vampire, I am the bridge between both. Even if I'm not sure where I belong anymore, I know that the only way any of us will survive is if we stand together.

It has all lead up to this..the final fight with Sin, the creator of the Day Walkers. 

After Daybreak did not disappoint. We were left with question in the previous novel and we finally get all our answers. There's plenty of action, suspense, and of course romance!!

What I loved about this book was that Dawn stood up for what she believed in and dealt with everything she was handed with dignity and grace. The way she matured was something we got to see from the very first book and it's what helped her succeed. 

We meet the 14 Old Families in New Vampiria, and we get to see how the Vampires truly live. It was great to see both the humans and vampires way of life because I feel it gives us  perspective, that not everything is as it seems.

I personally loved all the side characters in this book! Richard and Faith finally settle their differences and THANK GOD FOR THAT! I'm even glad to say that I've grown to like Tegan! We can't forget Victor though!! He was so sweet and protective and not to mention a complete bad ass! Even though it took some time, I was happy that Victor understood that humans are not part of the problem but part of the solution. 

The final installment of this trilogy was phenomenal and I couldn't have pictured a better ending. I'm sad to see it end but it always makes me happy when I can say that i'm completely satisfied with the way things ended in a story, especially with the characters. J.A. London, you outdid yourself with this series and I give you mad props! Thank you for introducing us to these wonderful characters!

Blood-Kissed Sky

Blood-Kissed Sky (Darkness Before Dawn Trilogy, 2)
by J.A. London
Rating: 4 Bows!

There's nowhere left to hide.

I thought vampires were our enemies - they controlled our lives, isolated our cities, and demanded our blood - until I met Victor. With Victor taking over as the new Lord Valentine, things were supposed to get better. Instead, they're worse than ever.

Day Walkers, a new breed of vampires who can walk in the sun, are terrorizing the city. Blood supplies are low, and if Victor's vampires don't get enough, they will become infected with the Thirst - a disease that will turn them into mindless killers.

To stop it, I must journey across the desolate wasteland to the very place where the sickness began. I can only hope that the answers that await me are enough to save us all... before it's too late.

It continues! The second installment of the Darkness Before Dawn series does not disappoint. There's plenty of action, plenty of vampires and a lot of drama!

Blood-Kissed Sky picks up right away and the pace never slows. We get the full history of how Day Walkers came to be and the true story of the 14 Old Families...or so we think...
This story takes place in a new city, Los Angeles, so we get to see how the people in that city have adapted and the shocking revelations that Los Angeles hides. 

All the characters were great but I had one minor problem: Tegan. Her character bothered me in the first book but towards the end I figured she was okay. In this book however, I can't say that I'm okay with her, I have to say that I do not like her. All of Dawn's problems would be less hectic if Tegan wasn't in the picture. In the first book, Tegan makes Dawn go to a party (clearly, Dawn doesn't want to go) and they almost die at the hands of Vampires. What happens in this book? THE SAME THING! Seriously Dawn is dealing with a lot of problems and all Tegan wants to do is party. And not to mention the whole boy situation...(but that's a spoiler that I will not give!!)

We don't get to see much of Victor in this novel but when he does make an appearance...I almost faint! He's so sexy and I wish he was real and could be my boyfriend! I'm totally fangirl-ing over him! :D

Blood-Kissed Sky was a great sequel and I can't wait to read the last installment of this trilogy! J.A. London, you did another amazing job with this one! 

Darkness Before Dawn

Darkness Before Dawn (Darkness Before Dawn Trilogy, 1)
by J.A London
Rating: 5 Bows!

Only sunlight can save us.

We built the wall to keep them out, to keep us safe. But it also makes us prisoners, trapped in what's left of our ravaged city, fearing nightfall.

After the death of my parents, it's up to me—as the newest delegate for humanity—to bargain with our vampire overlord. I thought I was ready. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the monsters. Then again, nothing could have prepared me for Lord Valentine . . . or his son. Maybe not all vampires are killers. Maybe it's safe to let one in.

Only one thing is certain: Even the wall is not enough. A war is coming and we cannot hide forever.

And they're back! Who? Vampires of course!! I haven't read a series about vampires since Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy and I'm glad I've waited. Darkness Before Dawn broke my resistance of Vampire novels.

Let me start off by saying that Darkness Before Dawn is nothing like Twilight..And thank God for that! This novel takes place in a world where the humans have lost a war with the vampires and now the Vampires are the ones that call the shots. Pretty neat right? We have Dawn, our heroine, who is appointed delegate for the city of Denver and is to meet with the strongest vampire of all 14 Old Families: Lord Valentine.

If Lord Valentine existed I would be hiding under a rock! He is truly what I imagine a vampire to be: scary, feral, and downright mean! At times I felt bad for Dawn because she had to deal with Lord Valentine while at the same time figure out what is going on with the vampires in the city. She had to much weight on her shoulders but she embraced it with strength and dignity. 

Now Victor...where can I get me one of those? He is prince charming in the night when he shows up at the right time to save Dawn and he only gets better from there. Victor is mysterious and secretive but that's what attracts me to him, it doesn't hurt that he's smokin' hot!!

There's plenty of action and romance and not to mention a twist I didn't see coming!! If you loved Vampire Academy you will definitely love Darkness Before Dawn! J.A London, I thank you for reminding me why I love vampire novels! Great start to a series!!